Advocacy is one of our core activities
Our Press Office offers both press releases and a selection of coverage from The UK and international media.
The power of the media can literally stop the bulldozers. Whether reacting to a specific crisis or act of god, announcing the start or completion of one of our projects, WMF Britain seeks to engage the media and push the cause of cultural heritage whenever the chance arises.
Recent campaigns include a successful protest against the demolition of the chimneys of Battersea Power Station, and an ongoing protest at the proposed construction of a motorway through Tara Hill in Ireland.
With over 40 years of experience, WMF is seen an established and reliable commentator on heritage and conservation issues. We have featured in all UK National Press from the John o’Groats Journal to the Isle of Wight County Journal.
The Independent dubbed us ‘Guardians of the wonders of the world,’ and the Economist has written twice about our role in safeguarding cultural heritage. We have also featured on many TV and Radio programmes covering cultuaral heritage.
Latest press coverage
Stowe School
Queen visits Stowe
WMF Britain’s Jonathan Foyle and Colin Amery joined Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh on a recent tour of Stowe, where WMF was involved with the restoration of the Marble Saloon.
Images ©Stowe School.
Building Design
The battle for St Peter’s Cardross hots up
in Glasgow.
Rory Olcayto
Published: 09 November 2007
‘After Tom Bloxham’s Urban Splash expressed interest in developing Gillespie, Kidd & Coia’s celebrated St Peter’s Seminary, a second would-be saviour, the Marquess of Bute, has thrown his hat into the ring’
Times Online
St Paul's opens up secret rooms to ease wear and tear of 2 million tourists
Dalya Alberge
Published: 08 November 2007
‘St Paul’s Cathedral is to give unprecedented access to rarely seen areas of the 300-year-old building, to lessen the serious damage being caused by millions of visitors.’
Building Magazine
Web watch I’m staying inside
Alex Smith
Published: 21 September 2007
‘... visit the World Monument[s] Fund’s (WMF) new site for inspiration and ideas. The website looks as lovingly crafted as some of the threatened buildings it champions.’
The Observer
Court battles loom in fight to save site
Henry McDonald
Published: 23 September 2007
‘The World Monuments Fund, a global organisation that protects ancient buildings, put pressure on the European Commission this weekend to use the European Court of Justice to halt the works at the Lismullin national monument in Co Meath. Ancient Tara Hill is under threat from plans to build a motorway extension.’
Condé Nast Traveller
Our exhibition of RIBA previewed
Sophie Campbell
Published: July 2007
‘The WMF Britain sponsored exhibition ‘Asmara – Africa’s Secret Modernist City’ was part of their ‘word of mouth’ section’
The Independent
Ancient Hill of Tara is put on 'crisis list' backed by WMF over road
David McKittrick, Ireland Correspondent
Published: 09 June 2007
‘One of Ireland's most venerated prehistoric treasures, the Hill of Tara, has been classed among the world's 100 most-endangered heritage sites, having been added to the "crisis list" of the World Monument Fund.’
The Guardian
In Praise of ... Wilton’s music hall
Leader
Published: 08 June 2007
‘As the old stagers would put it, a funny thing happened to Wilton's music hall yesterday. There it was, an old wreck in the middle of London's East End going nowhere but downhill when - all of a sudden - it was named one of the 100 most endangered monuments in the world.’
The Times
Top 100 heritage sites at risk
Unknown
Published: 08 June 2007
‘ANTARCTICA Captain Scott’s last expedition base has been declared one of the world’s 100 most endangered historic sites. The 2008 Watch List, compiled for the World Monuments Fund, also includes Wilton’s Music Hall, right, a Victorian building in the East End of London that suffers from serious structural problems.’
Guardian Unlimited
Tower Hamlets hall among world's most endangered sites
Vicky Baker
Published: 07 June 2007
‘Tower Hamlets has made a surprise appearance on a list of the world's 100 most endangered places. The list, which was revealed in London today, placed Wiltons Music Hall alongside Peru's ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu, war-damaged ruins in Iraq and hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.’
Web
BBC Online have also added a picture gallery of the St Paul’s images to their website, which can be accessed via the link below.
TV
BBC London TV news
Louisa Preston
Broadcast: 07 June at 18.30 and again at 22.30.
Interview with Jonathan Foyle and Frances Mayhew. Including ‘global map’ of the Watch Sites and good general background.
ITV’s, London Tonight
Toby Sadler
Broadcast: 10 June at 14.55 and 16.30.
Will Black and Alice Yates interviewed at Wiltons, and general piece on the Watch.
Radio
abc radio,
'Mornings with Margaret Throsby'
Dr Jonathan Foyle appeared on Australia’s version of desert island discs, discussing WMF and his love of history with Margaret Throsby on abc radio.
BBC Radio 4, ‘National Treasures’
Lawrence Pollard
Broadcast: 22 August at 9.00am and 9.30pm
Dr Jonathan Foyle went head-to-head with ‘style guru’ Stephen Bayley to argue that Canterbury Cathedral was a worthier recipient of £50 million than Damien Hirst’s ‘For the Love of God, ’ a skull encrusted with diamonds. Sanity won the day with 540 votes for Canterbury Cathedral and 37 to the most expensive piece of artwork by a living artist.
Listen to the programme in full
HEART FM
Broadcast: 06 June at 14.00
JF was interviewed on the Watch at 2pm
BBC London Breakfast
Broadcast: 14 June at 7.00
Live from Wilton’s with Frances Mayhew and again at 8am with Frances Mayhew and Christopher Biggins (live from Bergerac!) Also BBC London radio news – pre-record with Frances